Grace Cathedral in San Francisco has launched a petition (you can see it here) responding to the ongoing turmoil at the US southern border. The letter takes the form of a mandatory report of child abuse; though its intended recipients are President Trump and California’s senator, Dianne Feinstein. The cathedral’s website encourages other clergy to sign on.
As of the time of posting (Thursday 6/27 at 2pm) the petiton has over 120 signatories. Signers include Bishop Andrus of California, Episcopal clergy from around the US (and at least one Canadian) as well as two rabbis.
This is the text of the letter
Dear _,
The horrific spectacle of children being separated from their parents, detained, and held in deplorable conditions is shaming our nation in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of God. This has to stop.
We the undersigned are clergy and lay leaders from across religious faiths who are mandated reporters of child abuse, and thus legally required to report such behavior to the relevant authorities. We would therefore be remiss in our civil as well as our religious duty if we did not draw your attention to this unlawful neglect and abuse of minors in the detention centers on our southern border.
Our humanity is outraged at this treatment carried out by our own country. Let us know what steps you will be taking as a public servant to rectify this immoral state of affairs.
According to the Grace website, they are collecting signatures until June 30.